The College Search Process

Comments (0)

Transcript of The College Search Process

High school guidance counselorMy Majors MagazineBig Future by College BoardMyPlan.com: What can I do with... major?Navigating the College Search ProcessWhere to Explore Majors Step 2: Get to know the schoolsStep 1: Get to Know YourselfWhat are you good at?What are your favorite subjects in school?What do you want to study?How do you see the world?What are you passionate about?

Still not sure what you want to do?The Undeclared MajorYou don't have to declare a major to begin your college studiesAfter you start college: Look for college resources to help you choose a directionCareer Fairs and CentersUTA's Major Exploration

From here, you can narrow down your path to several majors.Attend a College FairGreat starting point for students who have no clue about which schools to considerOpportunity to meet admissions counselors -- the first face of the universityCollect all their contact informationFind out some of the school's bragging pointsYou can collect tons of information and brochures on anything that interests youexamples: housing, financial aid, scholarships, athletics, student organizationsCome prepared with questions about college (see handout)Write down which schools stood out to you and research themCollegeWeekLive.com

Set up a College Visit

Chance to meet the schools you are more interested inGet specifics and detailed information about the schoolChance to talk to both admission counselors and academic advisers in the program you are interested inChance to talk to current students in their environmentSee for yourself what a school could offer you

College Preview DaysChance to view a school from a college student's perspectiveAttend for those schools that you are most interested inTalk to Student OrganizationsMeet current studentsVisit with professorsExperience campus lifeSome overnight experiences in residence hallsFind out if a school fits who you areStep 3: Sort through the SchoolsPublic or Private?Funded primarily through the state government/taxpayersOn average, tuition costs are lowerGenerally larger than private schools with larger class sizesLikely offer a larger selection of majorsTypically have more in-state students, as well as commuter and part-time studentsUsually easier to transfer credits from other schoolsCommunity College?

Technical School?Who are you right now?Resources:Offers broad studiesStudents gain experience from learning in a variety of disciplinesUsually smaller schoolsTypically only award undergraduate degreesMore focused on producing well-rounded students with skills they can apply to multiple fields

Research Institution or Liberal Arts College?In-depth studiesOften more specialized, career-focused programsUsually larger schoolsMost offer a full range of undergraduate and graduate level programsMore commonly offer pre-professional programs (engineering, pre-law, business, pre-medical)More focused on exposing students to research opportunitiesResidential or Commuter School?Most students live on campusLiving in a student-only environmentExtra costs for housingMany students do not require vehicles to go about their daily livesEasy, anytime access to university resourcesCommuter CampusMany students commute to school from an off-campus residenceLiving in "the real world"Potentially cheaper to live at home or in a non-university residenceNeed for transportationNon-profit or For-profit?Businesses whose funds depend on their shareholdersCourses sometimes designed to fit students who work full-timeUsually more online, night, and weekend offeringsJob-specific curriculumUseful for career-driven students who want to seek a specific in-demand program,Fields include business administration, medical billing, and graphic designWARNING: Regional Accreditation

Institutions that receive funds from private donors as well as local governmentsTypically offer more affordable degree optionsWide range of opportunities to meet any student's goals, including social clubs, tutoring, residential life, and academic exploration for undecided majorsCollege Search TimelineThere's more to the cost of a college than just the tuitionTuitionIn-State or Out-of-State TuitionFlat rate tuitionGuaranteed tuition vs. cost inflationRoom and Board (housing and meal plans)Books, additional class fees, costs that fluctuate by major, parking permitsTransportation costs for commuters"Average cost" posted online vs. actual cost when you attend

Some Other Online ResourcesJunior Year Take the SAT/ACTCompile a list of colleges that interest youTour a local college to help you generate questions for future tripsPlan ahead for any fall college visits

Senior YearAttend some local college fairs in SeptemberVisit colleges during fall breakResearch colleges that most interest you/find out their admission and scholarship requirementsRetake the SAT/ACT if necessarySubmit applications by January 1st

By Bethany Jones and David KiemaUTA Bound for SuccessStep Four: Investigate the CostsStep Five: Stay on TrackResidential CampusWhat is your dream job?What steps must you take to get to your dream job? Will you need a Master's degree? PhD? Certification?Who do you know that can give you professional advice on this job or how to attain it? Funded not by the state but primarily by investments and private donorsTuition rates are often higherGenerally smaller than public schools with smaller class sizesGenerally smaller selection of majors but may offer more specialized academicsTend to admit more out of state studentsMajority of students live at college and attend full-timeMay also have religious affiliationsCollegeBoard.com

InsideCollege.com

Zinch.com

Uversity.com

Cappex.com

CollegeWeekLive.com

University WebsitesThings to Consider when Looking at SchoolsTaking It One Step at a TimeStep 1: Get to know yourself

Step 2: Get to know the schools

Step 3: Sort through the schools

Step 4: Investigate the costs

Step 5: Stay on TrackWhere do you want to be later?What should guide your decision?Your passionYour talentsThe major's career potentialWhat kind of major would that job require?Also known as "Trade" or "Vocational" SchoolsFocus on developing a certain skill set needed for a specific vocationHands on learningGet an education without taking classes that aren't related to your occupationEarn a certification in one to two yearsFrequently partner with local companies, trade unions, and other professional organizationsReal life experience in conjunction with your educationPrograms include auto mechanic training, welding, cosmetology, fashion design, and culinary artsSome employers offer tuition reimbursements because technical training can make you a better employeeLocationDistance from homeEnvironmentUrban or rural settingSize of student bodyGender distribution:Co-ed, male- or female-onlyResidential or commuter schoolReligious affiliationCampus lifeAcademicsMajors offeredSpecial requirements for entering your majorTime required to complete your degreeRetention rate, graduation rate, employment rateAccreditationClass size/student:faculty ratioPotential for internships, mentorship, real world experienceFacilities and ActivitiesAcademicLibraries and ResourcesResearch labsHonors SocietiesRecreationalClubs and organizationsGreek lifeCampus traditionsAthletics and intramuralsStudent governmentYou can learn a lot from a first impressionSpecial Note: If you live too far away to visit a college, check their website for a virtual tour!Why visit?Narrow down a long list of college options to between 5 and 10 attractive choices

For-profit or Non-profit?Public or Private University?Research or Liberal Arts Institution?Residential or Commuter School?Community/Junior College?Technical/Trade/Vocational School?Accredited? Diverse paths to higher education for diverse peopleFour Year Colleges & UniversitiesOne to Two Year College OptionsImportant ConsiderationsPrivate UniversitiesDecide what you value most and find the school that's the best fit for you!Note: At many four year schools, professors are often evaluated for their research and publishing first, and teaching second.Public UniversitiesResearch InstitutionsLiberal Arts CollegesNote: A school can fall into more than one category (ex: UTA is a public university and a research institution)Stay Organized!Visit different campuses to get a better sense of how living arrangements affect the campus experienceIMPORTANT: Always keep an eye out for deadlines!

One missed deadline could keep you from going to the school of your choice!Sometimes called "Junior" collegesTwo-year government-supported institutionProvides vocational and semiprofessional training for some and the first two years of undergraduate study for othersMaximum level of education: associate's degree or professional certificationMost credits are transferable to four-year universitiesMost charge nominal fees for tuitionTypically small class sizesAdmission is open to anyone, regardless of academic standingNon-residential community from a wide variety of backgrounds and lifestylesUsually offer flexible and on-traditional programs, including part-time study, evening classes, online instruction, weekend workshops, and other servicesThese schools let you jump right into what you want to do as a career!These schools encourage lifelong learning every step of the way!Non-profitFor-profitWhen searching for a school based on what you want to major inAs you search for the college that's right for you, keep an open mind about your career path. Many students change their minds along the way.ConsiderEmployment rateStrength of the academic programsPass-Fail Rate on entry/certificate exams (MCAT, CPA, HESI)Program Reputation LocationOpportunities to apply learning through research or internshipsStrength of alumni presence

If undeclared, search for schools that offer you a large selection of programs so you can explore your options.